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The Blanc de Hotot (pronounced: Blahn deh Oh-Toe), identifiable by its small, compact, heavily-built body and black rings around each eye, is a medium-sized breed of domestic rabbits. It was first bred in Hotot-en-Auge, Normandy, by Eugenie Bernhard, a famous French breeder. In 1902, Bernhard crossed Checkered Giant and Vienna White rabbits with Flemish Giants to produce the desired black and white coloration.
The new breed was first exported to the US in 1921 and 1922, but the bunnies did not become popular, and they eventually died out. In 1978, the Blanc de Hotot was re-introduced to the United States and the rabbits were displayed at the New Mexico State Fair. In the following year, the American Rabbit Breeders Association recognized the Blanc de Hotot.
House/apartment rabbit, show rabbit, outdoor rabbit
Families with seniors, older children, singles, first-time owners
France
Sweet, friendly, docile, active, curious
No
7-10 years
American Rabbit Breeders Association, British Rabbit Council
Medium, 14-15 inches long
8-11 lbs
15-17 inches
About 17-19 inches
Very dense, lustrous, soft, rollback, relatively short, with a frosty appearance
Well-furred, rounded tips, about 4-5 inches long
Dark Brown Eyes Blanc de Hotot
Dark Eye Band Blanc de Hotot
White Body Blanc de Hotot
Low
High
Weekly cleaning its cage or hutch with a rabbit-friendly cage cleaner, taking your rabbit to the vet, if it has flystrike symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite, or yelps of agony
Use an indoor cage of approximate dimensions 24 X 36 X 20 inches; a larger enclosure measuring 72 X 24 X 24 inches is needed for a group of bunnies
Unlimited supply of timothy hay (comprises 70 percent of its diet), 1/4 cups of quality pellets, a handful of leafy greens, one or two slices of fresh veggies and fruits
Occasional
Regular
Weekly brushing its soft, rollback coat with a slicker brush once a week, check its ears for signs of infection, such as inflammation, foul smell, and waxy build-up caused by ear mites
Low
High
Not overly active and it needs 1-2 hours of regular exercises, let it roam in a fenced yard where it can run, hop, and socialize with its human companion
Low
High
While the price of a show-quality or breeding Blanc de Hotot ranges between $50 and $100, the total annual expense of feeding and maintaining it is average.
Low
High
Sheds more in spring and autumn, during which it should be brushed twice a week
